Vending building structure



Dec. 2, 1958 BEACH, JR 2,862,252

VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 28, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. THEODORE L. BEACH JR.

BY r a i ATTORNE "S Dec. 2, 1958 -r. L. BEACH, JR

VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 28, 1955 FIG-5 IN V EN TOR. THEODORE L. BEACH JR.

BY a

ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1958 T. L. BEACH, JR

VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sfieets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 28, 1955 I07 THEODORE BEACH JR.

[N V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1958 T. L. BEACH, JR 2,852,252

VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 28, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGI3A INVENTOR.

THEODORE L. BEACH JR.

BY #wg ATTORNEYS Dec. 2, 1958 T. L. BEACH, JR

VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 28, 1955 0 3 5 5 9 J 4! Q 5 o 7 0 1 G I 9 w #3 Q 6 6 a 6 N 6 5 5 w 2 w o 9 G, 7 5 AT 0 5 6 Z 3 s w s 9 /W/N w a 2 o P m v 9 Z Z 5 9 9 Z 5 S 9 6 82 6 O v 5 9 5 9 Q e w 2 a 9 I. 9 5 n r0 70 v PX 9 w N 3% 5 R w 1;? 4 m V /,H E I n V x m 3 J 7 A l H A l 5 9 Q w z; 2 I- I m 7 7 0 O m I H H m 6 I o I 6 6 a J 5 G 5 O 9 5 9 THEODORE L. BEACH JR.

ATTORNEYS device;

United States Patent M VENDING BUILDING STRUCTURE Theodore L. Beach, Jr., New Carlisle, Ohio Application November 28, 1955, Serial No. 549,441

4 Claims. (Cl. 20-1.6)

structure described in the preferred embodiment of the invention set out hereinafter, the principal product dispensed 1s pop-corn and the display device of the structure represents the popping of corn to the ear as well as to the eye of a person adjacent the vending structure.

An important object of the invention is to describe a vending structure so provided that the vending portion of the structure may be completely and readily replaced without alteration to the remaining structure.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first step in the erection of the vending building;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but with a first building section raised and a second building section being conveyed into position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but with the second section secured to and supporting the first section, the second section being connected to hoisting apparatus for raising of the combined sections;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but with the combined sections in a partially raised position;

Figure 5 is a view of the combined sections of Figure 3 in a raised and secured position and with a third section being conveyed into position beneath the secured combined sections;

Figure 6 is a view of the completed vending building;

Figure 6a is a plan view on a. smaller scale of the structure of Figure 6;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an upper portion of the vending building incorporating a display Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the mode of construction of the interior of the vending structure; 7

Figure 9 is an enlarged'fragmentary perspective view of aportion of the structure of Figure 8 illustrating connections of the interior bracings of the vending structure;

' ports;

Patented Dec. 2, 1958 Figure 13a is a view taken on line 13a-13a of Figure 13;

Figure 14 is a plan view further illustrating the interior building structure; and I Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structure of Figure 7.

In the drawings similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts.

Referring first particularly to Figures 1-6, inclusive, the numeral 1 designates solid masonry footings for readily supporting I-beams 2 which are spaced on the periphery of a circle of a suitable diameter at intervals of approximately Secured in any convenient manner to each I-beam is a vertically extending bracket 3 carrying adjacent an upper end a pulley 4 and adjacent a lower end a winch 5 provided with a handle 6. Suitable rope or cable 7 is arranged to pass over pulley 4 to be wound or unwound by actuation of the winch mechanism.

As shown in Figure l the first building section 8 to be positioned includes: a spire 9; a light-emitting portion 10 for directing light to the spire which is suitably of lucite or other light-transparent plastic; a display device 11 to be described hereinafter in detail in connection with Figure 7; and the body portion generally indicated at 12 and comprising internal framing generally indicated. at 13 in Figure 8 and siding or sheathing sections 14 (Figure 1).

Building section 8 is assembled at ground level 15 and suitably constitutes a plurality of vertically extending circularly disposed steel riser strips 16 gradually curving inwardly upwardly (Figure 8). Welded to each strip 16 as at 17 (Figure 9) in vertical relation .are a plurality of channel brackets 18; these channel brackets support the peripherally extending tubular elements 19 at flattened ends 20 of the tubular elements which ends are confined, for example, by the nut and bolt combination 21 passing through the channel brackets (Figure 9). Also supported by the bolt and nut combination between the arms 22 of the channel brackets at flattened ends thereof are radially extending tubular members 23 and downwardly angularly extending tubular members 24 (Figures 8 and 9). At its lower end building section 8 is provided with peripherally extending, relatively larger tubular elements 25 of square section and radially extending similar squaresection tubular elements 26 joined together by cope irons as at 27.

As shown in Figures 2 and 8 a flanged ring-like member 28 is provided centrally and (Figure 8) the radially extending elements 26 are suitably welded or bolted thereto. The flange 29 of the ring-like member28 has disposed about the periphery thereof as at 30 channel brackets received between the arms 31 each of which brackets as shown in Figure 8 has a tubular member 24 and an upstanding tubular support 32 mounted on a nut and bolt assembly passing through arms 31 in a conventional manner as shown. 6

Flanged ring-like members 33, 34, and 35 are provided in vertical relation disposed about the vertical axis'of the building section 8. Ring-like member 33. (Figure 10) flanged inwardly at 36 receives on the rear side thereof a plurality of channel brackets as at 37, which bracket receives and supports, as shown, a radially extending tubular member 23, a downwardly angularly extending member 24 and a lower flattened end of an upwardly extend.- ing tubular member 38 as well as the upper flattened end of tubular member 32; circularly disposed tubular elements 39 flattened at their ends and bolted to channel brackets, as shown in FigurelO, brace the ring-like member 33. Similarly ring-like member 34 flanged at 40 receives and supports in channel brackets as at 41 a radially extending tubular member 23, a downwardly extending member 24, and the ends of tubular members 38 and 42. The ring-like member 35 shown as flanged outwardly at 43 islik-ethe precedingmemberspiovided with-brackets as at 44 each of which receives and supports a radially ex'tending member-23 and the upper end of tubular member 42. In this instance however, as shown in Figure 11, the plurality of brackets are constituted by strap portions 45 having apertured ears 46 and the flattened ends of the tubular elements are secured between the cars by suitable nut and bolt assemblies as at 47 which also provide for drawing?the combined brackets about the outer periphery of r ing like member 35.

Siding sections '14 (Figure 8) are suitably riveted or bolted to the vertically extending straps 16; initially as shown in Figure 1 openings as at 48 may be formed between siding sections by drawing the same apart at the base and this permits hoist brackets '49 to be passed through the openings and secured to the internal frameworkyhoist brackets 49 are provided with eyes 50 and the ropes 7 are secured to these eyes as shown in Figure 1.

As clearly indicated in Figures 1 and 2 the building section 8 is raised and supported on the ropes 7 through the medium of the winches and the hoist brackets 49. The building section 8 may be retained in raised position by any suitable conventional winch locking means; also guys in any-known manner may be provided to stabilize the first section, if required, as for example, in the case of erection under conditions of high wind.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2 the second building section 51 is moved beneath the suspended first section and as shown in Figure 2 a dolly 52 may be conveniently utilized for this purpose.

The second section 51 (Figure 8) is provided with a plurality of upwardly extending, peripherally positioned, tubular members 53 of square cross-section. Cope irons 54 engage the ends of the tubular members 53 and support peripherally extending tubular members 55 and radially extending tubular members 56, also of square crosssection (Figure 8). Cope irons 54 are disposed (Figure 14) su'bstantiallyl20 apart around the frame. As show in Figure 14 the plurality of tubular members 55 together with the cope irons form substantially a hexagonal in plan view. The radially extending members 56 (Figure 14) are relatively short and terminate at and are-secured to long cross-braces 57. The cross-braces (Figure 14) are three in number and are supported as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14 peripherally disposed between cope irons 54 and spaced about 60 from each is an upstanding angle iron assembly 58 having vertical angle irons 59 and60 inback to back relation with their re spective arms 61,62 secured together in any suitable manner. The angle iron assembly extends substantially the full height of section 51 and the backs 63, 64 respectively of the irons taper upwardly.

Suitable supports 65 of angle iron 59 and supports 66 of angle iron have secured thereto ends of the tubular members 55 and also ends of the cross-braces 57. The angle irons and the tubular members 53 terminate at peripheral tubular members 55 and are secured thereto (Figure 5).

Each angle iron assembly 58 is adapted to have a wing support member 67 secured thereto and the wing support is in turn adapted to be secured to an I-beam at an upper end thereof.

Each wing support 67, as shown in Figure 13. includes a'pair of tubes of square cross-section 68, 69 secured to and spaced apart by a plurality of apertured plates which are of decreasing width; thus plates 70, 71, 72, 73 welded 'to tubes 68,69 are adapted to engage against the angle 'ironassembly 58 and to be secured thereto by bolts and nuts as indicated at 74 passing through mating apertures.

lRear wardly wing support 67 incorporates a channel 75 whit'this adapted to be'bolted to the I-beam 2 (Figure 13).

Upwardly angularly extending from channel to the apex 76 formed by the tubes 68, 69 is a round iron 77 having welded thereto a channel 78, which channel has welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto a plurality of webs in pairs indicated at 79, 80, 81, 82. The tubes 68, 69 are likewise suitably provided with web plates in pairs as at 83, 84, and 86; the web 82 at the apex is also secured to the tubes. Triangular web plates 87 are carried at the base of channel 75. Suitable cross-braces generally designated by the numeral 88 are welded as at 89 and provide bracing for the wings.

Referring again to Figure 2 this second section 51 together with its three wing supports is positioned beneath the first section. The first section is then lowered onto the second section and the ropes 7 removed. The tubular elements 25 of square cross-section of the first section upon lowering lie on the upper tubular elements 55 of the second-section.

At this'tirne much 'ofthe sheathing or siding 90 of this section including the siding 91 of the wing supports is preferably already applied. In this connection it is to be noted that the metal sheathing may suitably be applied in sections and conveniently riveted or bolted tothe frame structure; the round irons 77 on the wing supports provide for a rounded finish on the sheathing adding to its appearance and decreasing the wind resistance of the wings.

The contacting upper and lower sections are then bolted together as at 92.

The combination of first and second building sections as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is then raised by means of ropes 7 to the Figure 5 position and the third or vending section 93 may be positioned. At this time the plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 74 (Figure 13) is affixed t'o securely support the wings and the first and second building sections on the I-beams. When all such fastenings have been completed the ropes 7, and the guide hoists 49 of the first building sections are removed and the sections 8 and 51 provided with longitudinal metal strips 95 to cover the junctures of the sheathing sections.

The section 93 may then be provided with sheathing 96, windows 97, and counters 98 to complete the'main building exterior. Sheathing 94 as shown in Figure 8 may-pass upwardly beneathsection 51 to be covered'with a sheathing section 94a, and it is to be particularly noted that removal of this sheathing is readily effected, the section 93 being completely removable from the building structure.

The-brackets 3 are removed from the I-beams and the beams also are covered with metal or plastic shields 99. The upper portion of the I-beam is suitably sheathed in aluminum metal 100 of sufiicient diameter to embrace the l beam 2 and the channel 75. The upper portion of the aluminum 100 suitably has secured thereto bullet-like plastic caps 101' topped by spires 102. The completed exterior of the building structure is shown in Figure 6 and is in the contour of a rocket.

' The interior of the vending structure described is adapted for the production and storage of pop-corn; to this end as shown in Figure 12 a unit 103 for the popping of corn is positioned over a cabinet 104 provided at 105 with doors to compartments for the storage of raw materials, such as the raw corn, oils and flavorings; above the cabinet suitably in'the lower end of the'second build- 'a latch door 109 leads downwardly from compartment 106 for withdrawal of the popped corn for sale.

Figures 7"and 15 illustrate a very important feature of the present invention. Figure 7 shows the display device 11 which comprises a frusto-conical light trans- -parent shi'eld or housing 110 ofplastic, most suitably a methyl methacrylate, Lucite or Plexiglas. This shield is mounted on a rubber sealing ring 111 which is itself supported on the upper end of section 8 by the section and a circular metal ring 112 welded or bolted to the section. A dished circular pan 113 having a central depression 114 is supported beneath the dome by the sec; tion. The base of depression 114 is provided with a screen 115. A tube 116 of the same diameter as the screen is suitably mounted by extending arms 116' (Figure 15) above the screen in spaced relation with the screen in the throat formed by the depression of the pan 113. The passage between the tube and side wall of the depression is sufiiciently large for spheres to pass down to the spacing beneath the tube.

A conduit 118 leading from a blower indicated at B closely covers the screen 115 and accordingly an air blast is adapted to be passed from the conduit through the screen 115 and tube 116. This arrangement creates a low pressure area at the circular lower outer edge of the tube 116.

A plurality of balls 117 most suitably hollow light weight white plastic spheres having apertures 117 therethrough are provided in the spacing defined by the shield; these balls are similar to those used as practice golf balls and have a plurality of apertures in the surface thereof.

The upper end of the shield is closed by a plate 119 mounting a spot-light 120 adapted to direct light upwardly along the spire. The small plastic dome covers the light 120 and supports spire 9. Suitably a small aperture 121 is provided between dome 10 and hield 110 for the escape of air to the atmosphere fromthe shield. A plurality of flood lights 122 are positioned about the structure internally to cast light upwardly on shield 110 and the spheres 117'.

In operation the spheres 117 are caused by gravity to roll down the dished pan 113 into the depression or outer throat 123 and the low air pressure at the base of the tube 116 causes the balls to be forced rapidly into the tube; the high air velocity causes the spheres to be impelled violently upwardly and to impact against the plastic shield. Suitably the tube is of suflicient diameter for the balls to be passed singly therethrough.

Some of the pressured air passes through the apertures of the balls, causing them to be given a rapid spinning motion and occasioning the directing of the balls in haphazard fashion to the interior face of the shield 110. The rapid overlapping sounds created by the impacts result in a sensation to an observer adjacent the building similar to that attained by the popping of corn; visually the light striking the white balls or spheres and scattering in all directions occasions also a sensation akin to that of corn popping.

The various spinning motions imparted to the spheres by the air passing therethrough causes the balls to rebound from the shield in all directions.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A vending building structure comprising a vertically extending tubular body portion having a display device incorporated therein adjacent an upper end thereof, said structure having a lower substantially groundlevel vending section below the body portion, the body portion having radially extending wings, the support for the building structure consisting of wing supporting members at the outer extremity of the wings well beyond the vending section.

2. A vending building structure comprising a vertically extending tubular body portion having a display device incorporated therein adjacent an upper portion thereof, said structure having a lower substantially ground-level vending section below the body portion, means supportably engaging the body portion laterally of the body portion, and the said vending section being movable from beneath the supported body portion.

3. A vending building structure formed in the general shape of a rocket and having a vertically extending tubular body comprising framework and sheathing covering the same, an upper section of the tubular body having a display device incorporated therein, a lower section of the structure at substantially ground-level below the upper section and incorporating a vending section, an intermediate section of the structure secured to and supporting the upper section and substantially free of the lower section, and said intermediate section having a trio of wings extending substantially radially therefrom, the wings extending well beyond the lower vending section radially, and a support for each of the wing forming the support of the tubular body.

4. A vending building structure which incorporates in an upper portion thereof a display device and which has a lower vending section at substantially ground-level, the lower section being free of the upper section and movable, the building structure having supports laterally of the building structure connected to the building structure above the lower section, the lower section being movable outwardly of the upper section between the supports and the supports being spaced well outwardly of the vending section to provide free space about the vending section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,846,112 James Feb. 23, 1932 1,861,405 Brantferger May 31, 1932 2,055,498 Jacobs Sept. 29, 1936 2,361,346 Atkins Oct. 24, 1944 2,363,259 Penton Nov. 21, 1944 2,499,498 Hammond Mar. 7, 1950 2,621,042 Stein et al. Dec. 9, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 270,765 Italy June 20, 1930 768,837 France May 28, 1934 

